Monday, March 19, 2012

Jaz Primo is an author, history aficionado, "pun-master", and all-around fan of things vampire and urban fantasy. Fueled by an active imagination, cold Coca-Cola, and chocolate, he strives to bring a new voice to today's array of vampire fiction. He's an avid book worm, resulting in the constant tug-of-war between reading and writing his next novel. When not pouring over a keyboard or Kindle, Jaz can be found tending a veggie garden or casting a variety of colorful lures into bodies of water as he urges the bass to bite, often using his best fish puns. He has enjoyed a fulfilling background and career in higher education, including his passionate hobby of teaching U.S. History classes during evenings. He is a native of Oklahoma where he lives with his wife and a talkative, long-lived cat. Peace!

When/how did you realize you had a creative dream or calling to fulfill?

I've always had a vivid, creative imagination. As a boy in elementary school, I used to write short stories, and the teacher would let me read them aloud to my class. I suppose that I have been smitten with being a writer since that time.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Sincere, Kind-hearted, Witty

What’s one thing that readers would be surprised to find out about you?

I'm a particularly shy person.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

L.E. Modesitt, Jr.

Beyond your own work (of course), what is your all-time favorite book and why? And what is your favorite book outside of your genre?

My favorite book would have to be The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. It was the first fantasy novel that I read growing up. What an epic and wonderful fantasy novel!

My favorite book outside of my genre is All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot.

For those who are unfamiliar with your series; The Sunset Vampire, how would you introduce it?

The Sunset Vampire Series takes the traditional format and gender-handling of "male vampire hero with female human heroine" and spins it on its head. Expect unique, well-developed characters combined with immersive storylines, all culminating in a fun, adventurous, and sincere approach to urban vampire fantasy.

What was your inspiration for the series?

I have always enjoyed series fantasy, especially the rich character development found in L. E. Modesitt's Saga of Recluce series. Modesitt's writing style was highly-influential in my own realistic feel of characters and settings for my writing. Then I applied my own unique perspective on vampires.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Katrina?

I was surprised over how deeply her emotional scars had resulted in the formation of her dark and demonstrative personality.

Which of your characters do you feel has grown the most since Sunrise at Sunset and in what way have they changed?

Caleb has definitely changed and grown since the first novel. He has gained self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-sufficiency through his relationship with his vampire mate, Katrina. Additionally, Caleb is no longer relatively defenseless, thanks to Katrina's combat training and encouragement.

If you could introduce Caleb to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

I would introduce Caleb to Isabella Swan from Twilight. It's a perfect opportunity to meet someone who similarly contends with a strong personality vampire mate.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say?

Summit at Sunset (Sunset Vampire Series, Book #3): "Unlikely alliances will be sought, eternal bonds of friendship will be tested, unrequited love will be unleashed, blood will be shed, and one pivotal person's fate will collide with destiny."

When asked, what’s the one question you always answer with a lie?

"Have you gotten over that crush on Lucy Lawless and Xena: Warrior Princess yet?"

Programmed Answer: "Oh, sure, I gave up on that dream a long time ago..."

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

Without a doubt, my most rewarding experience has been meeting all the wonderful readers who have enjoyed my Sunset Vampire Series, the supportive bloggers, and fellow authors. Avid readers and writers are some of the most genuinely-kind and supportive people in the world.

If I came to your house and looked in your closet/attic/basement, what’s the one thing that would surprise me the most?

All of the bodies... *clasping my hand over my mouth*

Er, I mean, the Star Wars action figures that I have collected since I was a kid. In my defense, my wife also collects them, and she was a cheerleader, so it can't be all that geeky, right?

*clearing my throat uncomfortably*

Right?

[Jean] - That's a good one lol

If you could have written one book in history, what book would that be?

That's a very interesting question, actually. I would say, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Favorite places to travel?

I genuinely enjoyed my scenic two-week stay in northern Italy in the town of Aviano. In the future, my wife and I are anxious to spend a week in London!

What’s the worst job you’ve had?

For the most part, I've been relatively fortunate. However, as a teenager, I didn't particularly enjoy the job of working at Burger King slinging fast food burgers and greasy fries. However, my least favorite "task" was shoveling chicken poop from inside the hen house on my grandfather's acreage. Poop-scooping...not so fun.

My Internet presence is newly-centralized on my combined website and blog at http://jazprimo.com/

From my website, you can access my other locations on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Goodreads, as well as the links for purchasing my novels.

Thanks so much for the opportunity to be interviewed by you, Jean. This has been a real treat!

[Jean] - More than happy to have you Jaz!

The third, and most exciting, novel in the Sunset Vampire Series has finally arrived!

Powerful vampire Katrina Rawlings and her human mate, Caleb Taylor, are once more drawn into dangerous circumstances. Representatives of the most powerful and influential vampires from around the world converge upon a scenic mountain retreat located in Slovenia's Upper Bohinj Valley for a summit of historic proportion. Mystery leads to treachery, and events quickly spiral out of control. With the fates of both vampires and humans in jeopardy, Katrina desperately struggles to reconcile the balance of worldwide vampire power against honoring her commitment to the love of her life. Unwilling to be rendered helpless, Caleb initiates a desperate gamble that leads to a mortal decision. Meanwhile, the sexy and sassy vampire, Paige Turner, spearheads her own mission involving both surprising revelations of heart and grave circumstances for those around her.

In Summit at Sunset, unlikely alliances will be sought, eternal bonds of friendship will be tested, unrequited love will be unleashed, blood will be shed, and one pivotal person's fate will collide with destiny.

I Winner will received one Signed copy of Summit at Sunset (US Only, e-book for International) by Jaz Primo.

2 Winners will receive one Signed Bookmark by Jaz Primo.

a Rafflecopter giveaway&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://rafl.es/enable-js"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;You need javascript enabled to see this giveaway&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;.

The worst job Ive ever had has to be when I worked at Applebee's. It was fun to work there but embarrassing because they never had it together. I hated it soooo much lol.Thanks for this giveaway Jean && Jaz!

Thank you so much for the giveaway! I have to say i haven't had any horrible jobs...Gas Girl at a Marina...got to sit out in the sun all day and swim and get tips..Waitressing..loved all my customers...Target...I worked in the Music, Movies, and Books section so that couldn't possibly be bad and now Xray. I've loved them all.

Thanks for everyone’s wonderful comments and participation in the giveaway. I promise to make it worth your while…

While in high school, I had a job working in the kitchen at Burger King for about a year. It was hard work and minimal pay, but I quickly learned to have respect and appreciation for food industry workers. Now I’m a firm believer in giving a smile and a kind word…and a healthy tip! :-)

“Thank you” to Jean for hosting my appearance and for the wonderful review!Jaz